Combination scribe tool



Dec. 20, 1966 5. D. BARRY ETAL 3,292,263

COMBINATION SCRIBE TOOL Filed Nov. 10, 1964 v r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 George 0. Barry Fab/an l-T Sou/rap INVENTORS BY QzMwi-ia...

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United States Patent )fiice 3 192,263 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 This invention generally relates to new and useful improvement in try squares and has for one of its important objects to provide a tool of this character comprising novel means for expeditiously and accurately finding the centers of circular objects or workpieces of various diameters.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a combination tool of the character described which is adapted to function as a compass for scribing circles and arcs of an infinite number of radii.

Still another highly important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tool of theaforementioned character which is adapted to autor natiaclly find and scribe the'longitudinal centers of boards and other materials of various widths,

Another object is -to provide a combination tool with which variously spaced parallel lines may be scribed on boards and other materials,

Another object is to provide a combination try-square, rule, scriber, plumb or level and, to the ends desired, it is characterized by the unique construction and arrangenient oftadjustable scribing points or markers.

A still further object is to provide a combination tool of the character set forth wherein the adjustable scribing points or markers, when not in use, may be secured in an out-,of-the-way position on the tool to be conveniently at hand when needed,

Other objects are to provide a combination tool which is comparatively simple in constrution, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low, cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals referv to like parts throughout and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a combination tool constructed in'accordance with the present invention with a portion broken away in section, showing the device in use as a center finder;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, showing the tool being used for locating, and scribing the longitudinal center of a board;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view substantially similar to FIG- URE 2 but showing the tool in use for scribing a pair of spaced, parallel lines on a board;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are perspective views of the tool per se: 7

FIGURE 7 is a view in transverse section on an enlarged scale through the tool, taken substantially on the line 7'Z of- FIGURE 3.; and

FIGURE 8 is a'fragmentary view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 88 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises an L-shaped try-square of suitable dimensions and material designated by reference numeral 10 and embodying a stock 12 from one end portion of which a complemental blade 14 extends at right angles. The stock or leg 12 is provided with a circular opening 16 in which a pair of crossed bubble level tubes 18 are mounted. The longitudinal marginal portions of the blade or second leg 14 are provided with graduated scales 20 and 22.

On one side thereof, the inner lengthwise marginal edge of the stock 12 has formed therein a generally V- shaped recess 24 which opens toward the blade 14. The crotch or apex 26 of the recess 24 is aligned with the inner longitudinal straight edge 28 of the blade 14. The recess 24 seatingly receives a segmental portion of the marginal edge of a circular object or workpiece to be centered, as indicated at 30 in FIGURE 1 of the drawing.

Adjacent the outer longitudinal edge 32 thereof, the blade 14 is provided in its opposite sides or faces with longitudinal grooves or channels 34. A plurality of scribers or markers 36 (two shown here) are adjustably and removably mounted on the blade 14. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 7 of the drawing, each scriber 36 includes a generally C-shaped resilient clamp or member 38 which is mounted on the blade 14 in a manner to project laterally from the outer edge 32 thereof. The jaws or legs 40 of the clamp 38 terminate an inturned free end portions 42 which are engaged in the respectively cooperable grooves 34. Markers 44 close the clamps 38 on the blade 14. In the embodiment shown, the markers 44 include pins 46 which are rotatably engaged in openings 48 provided therefor in the upper legs or jaws of the clamps 38. Heads 50 are provided on the upper ends of the pins 46. The pins 46 comprise enlarged threaded lower portions 52 which are threaded through openings 54 provided therefor in the lower legs or jaws 40 of the clamps 38. The enlarged end portions 52 of the pins 46 terminate at their lower ends in scribing points 56.

Mounted on one side of the square 10 in the outer end portion of the blade 14 and in the inner end portion of the stock 12 is a pair of guide pins 58. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the guides 58 are removable. Toward this .end, the guides 58 include reduced threaded shanks 60 which are threaded into sockets 62 provided therefor. The blade 14 is further provided at an intermediate point with a threaded hole or opening 64 for the reception of the screw portion 52 of the pin 46 of one one the scribers or markers 36.

When the scribers or markers 36 are not in use they are stored on the outer end portion of the stock 12. To: ward this end, the outer end portion of the stock 12 is provided with a pair of threaded openings 66 which are similar to the opening 64. The openings 66 are for the reception of the threaded portion 52 of the markers 44 for removably securing and storing the scribers 36 on the stock 12 in an out-of-the-way position.

It is thought that the use of the combination tool will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The square 10 is used as such in the usual manner. To find the center of a disk or other circular or cylindrical workpiece, the square 10 is mounted thereon as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings with the workpiece seated in the recess 24. Thus, the inner edge 28 of the blade 14 extends diametrically across the workpiece which is scribed in any suitable manner, as indicated at 68. The tool is then rotated relative to the workpiece and said workpiece is again scribed diametrically. The point at which the two lines cross is the center of the workpiece.

To scribe a pair of spaced, parallel lines 70 longitudinally on a workpiece such as aboard 72 as in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the square 10 is placed diagonally thereon with the depending pins 58 slidabl'y engaged -with the edges thereof. With a pair of the scribers 36 mounted on the blade 14 and secured in the desired adjusted posit on, the tool is moved longitudinally on the board or other workpiece for scribing the spaced parallel lines 70 in an obvious manner. Of course, by adjusting the scribers- 36 relative to each other spacing of the scribed lines 70 may be increased or decreased as desired. Also, by removing one of the scribers 36 a single line may be scribed (FIG. 2) on the board or other workpiece. The opening 64 is located midway between the guides 58.

To scribe, as indicated at 74, the longitudinal center of the board or other workpiece 76, a single scriber 36 is mounted on the blade 14 and secured in the opening 64. To accomplish this, the threaded portion 52 of the marker 44 is threaded downwardly beyond the clamp or clip 38 in a manner to be free to rotate therein. With the clamp or clip 38 positioned on top of the blade 14 over the opening 64, the marker 44 is screwed downwardly through said opening until the scribing point 56 projects below said blade 14 for engagement with the workpiece 76. When this is done the clamp or clip 38 is compressed and tensioned as shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings for frictionally locking the marker 44. When either or both of the scribers 36 are not in use they are secured on the stock 12 of the square 10, as shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. With a pair of the scribers 36 mounted on the blade 14 arcs and circles of any radius within a given range may be scribed. If necessary, a suitable removable spacer may be interposed between the head 50 of the marker 44 .and the upper leg or jaw '40 of the clip 38 when the scriber '36 is used as shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawing. This permits the marker 44 to be of ample length to function in the manner described in the opening 64. The removable scribers 36 do not interfere with the use of the device as a square. As will be apparent, the blade 14 provides dual graduated straight edges 28 and 32. Further, the bubble tubes 18 permit use of the tool as a level and a plumb.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

'1. A tool of the character described comprising a blade slidable on a workpiece, spaced guides on the blade for slidably receiving the workpiece therebetween, and at least one scriber mounted for longitudinal sliding adjustment on the blade between the guides and operatively engageable with the workpiece, said scriber including a generally U-shaped resilient clip mounted transversely on one of the longitudinal marginal portions of the blade and projecting laterally therefrom, and a marker comprising a headed pin threadedly mounted in the clip for clampingly engaging same with the blade.

2. A tool in accordance with claim 1, said pin comprising a scribing point on one end.

3. The tool according to claim 1, and wherein said blade is provided with flat parallel top and bottom faces, said guides comprising pins located at the respective end portions of said blade and depending at right angles from said bottom face, a median portion of said blade midway between said pins having a screw-threaded hole opening through said top and bottom faces, the threaded portion of said headed pin being adapted to be screwed into said screw-threaded hole if and when desired.

4. A tool in accordance with claim 2, said clip comprising legs receiving the blade therebetween, and inturned jaws on the free ends of said legs.

A tool in ccorda ce w th claim 4, said blade having longitudinal grooves in its opposite sides slidably receiving the jaws.

6. A. combination tool of the class described compris-i ing a try-square generally L-fshaped in plan and embodying a short leg defining a stock and a relatively long companion leg providing a blade, said legs havingtop and bottom workpiece contacting surfaces, the bottom side of said blade having screw-threaded sockets adjacent the respective end portions thereof, guide pins adapted to abut and rest firmly but slidingly against selected marginal surfaces of said workpiece, said pins having screw-threaded end portions screwed into their respectively cooperable sockets, said blade being provided at a median portion thereof and midway between said sockets with a first screw-threaded hole extending through the "blade and opening through top and bottom surfaces of said blade, at

least one scribing device embodying a holder clip, the

limbs of said clip being provided with and carrying a companion clip positioning and retaining pin, said pin embodying a shank provided at an upper end with a head, and 1 provided at a lower end portion with a screw-threaded part and a depending scribing and marking point, the 1 pointed screw-threaded lower end portion of said shank i being adapted to be screwed, through and beyond the 'bottom of said screw-threaded hole in a manner to permit said clip to be detachably positioned and retained atop the top surface of said blade with a scribing point pro-. jecting beyond the bottom surface for workpiece scrlbing and marking use.

7. A tool according to claim 6 and wherein said stock is provided adjacent an outer free end thereof with at least one screw-threaded hole in addition to said first. named screw-threaded hole and likewise having upper and lower ends thereof opening through the top and, bottom surfaces of said stock, said stock being of cross sectional thickness appreciably greater than the cross-sectional I thickness of said blade, and the pointed screw-threaded 1 lower end portion of the pin being optionally designed 1 and adapted to be screwed into said additional screwthreaded holes whereby said clip and companion pin may, if desired, be stored in an out-of-the-way position atop said stock when not being used.

8. The tool according to claim 7 and wherein the lengthi wise edges of said blade are linearly straight andconstitute and provide straight edges and are, in turn, provided with graduated scales, also wherein top and bottom surfaces of said blade adjacent one straight edge have aligned.

longitudinal grooves, said clip having turned in terminal jaws and said jaws being adapted to be detachably and slidingly keyed in their respective cooperating grooves. I

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 509,356 11/1893 Bechmann 33-41 810,246 1/1906 Anderson 33-7-42] 877,934 2/1908 Lea 33173 964,785 7/1910 Johnson 33-43 1,003,043 9/ 1911 Goughnour 33'189 1,255,507 2/1918 Brennan 3342 2,594,193 4/1952 Mendes 33 26 2,764,818 10/1956 Gard 3341 X 1 3,160,957 12/1964 Phillips 33-42 X i LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM D, MARTIN, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOOL OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A BLADE SLIDABLE ON A WORKPIECE, SPACED GUIDES ON THE BLADE FOR SLIDABLY RECEIVING THE WORKPIECE THEREBETWEEN, AND AT LEAST ONE SCRIBER MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL SLIDING ADJUSTMENT ON THE BLADE BETWEEN THE GUIDES AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE WORKPIECE, SAID SCRIBER INCLUDING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED RESILIENT CLIP MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY ON ONE OF THE LONGITUDINAL MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE BLADE AND PROJECTING 